FRACKVILLE (SCHUYLKILL COUNTY), PA - On January 25, 2012 after 20:06 hours the Frackville Fire Department (Goodwill Fire Company), Englewood-Butler Township Fire Company, Altamont-West Mahanoy Township Fire Company, Mahanoy City Citizens Tower 456 and Frackville Ambulance were dispatched to 403 South Middle Street for a chimney fire. The caller reported to the 911 Center there was a fire in her wood burner and it maybe spreading in the wall.

Engine 368 and Chief 368 arrived in minutes and found flames coming from the wood burner in the basement. He confirmed it was a working fire in the chimney of the wood burner. The minor smoke continued to spread quickly and moved through out the basement and first floor. Frackville Chief 43 arrived on location and took command of the fire scene. He sized up the situation and advised the dispatcher that all residents were out of the home and was safe. Goodwill Ladder 43-20 responded to East Laurel Street and staged on Side Bravo. Ladder 43-20 went into service and sent its aerial ladder to the top of the chimney.

Engine 368’s crew went to work by deploying a hose line to the back door the home. Chief 43-02 was able to enter the basement with a PW extinguisher to knock down the flames in the stove. Englewood Engine 369 prepared to establish a water supply from a hydrant at Middle and Laurel Streets. The crew from Ladder 43-20 crew checked the home’s interior walls for possible extensions.
Fire fighters proceeded to vent the second floor and attic of the home. Frackville Ladder 43-20 ladder was placed on the home’s roof to gain access to the chimney. A team was then sent to the roof to extinguish the fire in the upper chimney.

Citizens Tower 456 staged on South Middle Street and sent their crews to the A Side of the home to stand by. The home interior walls were re-checked for extensions and hot spots. The interior crews found no evidence of any extensions and determined it was safe. The fire was then declared under control by 20:45 hours by Chief 43.

The home received minor smoke damaged but the home was still livable. The Fire Chief determined the fire started in the wood stove and caused moderated damage to the chimney. The fire chief reported that there were no injuries to residents or firefighters. Frackville Ambulance responded to the scene and stood by.